Revelation Chapter 17 verse 9 Holy Bible
Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:
read chapter 17 in ASV
Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman is seated:
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Here is the mind that has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains, whereon the woman sits.
read chapter 17 in DARBY
And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
read chapter 17 in KJV
read chapter 17 in WBT
Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.
read chapter 17 in WEB
`Here `is' the mind that is having wisdom; the seven heads are seven mountains, upon which the woman doth sit,
read chapter 17 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 9. - And here is the mind which hath wisdom. Omit "and." Read, Here is the mind (or, meaning), etc. These words (as in Revelation 13:18) draw attention to the explanation which follows - or else that which precedes (cf. Revelation 13:18). They also make it appear that the explanation which the angel offers of the "mystery" is not one to be understood without some difficulty. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. The diversity of opinions on the interpretation of this passage is mainly owing to the fact that writers are not consistent in their application of symbols and numbers; in one place interpreting figuratively, in another literally. We have repeatedly seen that the language of the Apocalypse and its numbers are symbolical. The seals are not literal seals, the Lamb is not a literal Lamb, the beast is not a literal beast, etc. So here, the mountains are not literal mountains. A mountain is a symbol of power (see on Revelation 8:8); seven is the number significant of universality (see on Revelation 1:4; 5:1, etc.). The plain meaning of the passage, therefore, is that the woman relies upon a visibly universal power. This is precisely the idea contained in ver. 3, which describes the faithless part of the Church (the harlot) trusting to the power of the world (the beast). Of course, the most prominent form of this world power in St. John's time was heathen Rome, hence some writers believe that "the seven-hilled city," Rome, is referred to here - either pagan or papal Rome. And, indeed, this may be a partial fulfilment of the vision; but it is not the whole signification. To understand seven mountains literally in this place renders it necessary to interpret forty-two weeks, etc., literally in another.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) And here is the mind . . .--Better, Here (omit "and") is the mind, &c. Attention is asked to the fuller explanation which follows. It needs true wisdom to behold many incidents of the world's history and not find stumbling-blocks in them (Psalm 73:2-3; Psalm 119:165). The seven heads are seven mountains where the woman sitteth upon them. The description seems to be drawn from Rome, the seven-hilled city. This keeps the reference to Rome before us, but at the same time the further explanation (in Revelation 17:10) widens our thoughts, and shows us that the literalism on which the imagery is based is used to convey a broader symbolical meaning. The seven heads are seven mountains, &c., and they (the seven heads; the words "There are seven kings" in the English version are confusing) are seven kings: the woman rides on the seven-headed beast; even so Rome dwells on her seven hills, and so also the world-city, seen in vision, sits among the various empires which have risen, like great mountains, in the history of the world.
